The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-08-09
UNIvERsALIsT GROVE MEETING.
A Large Gathering and Interesting
Services at =ryeburg.
Correspondence of the Press.l
MARTHA's GROVE, FRYEBURG,

Correspondence OIL Tie Press.
MARTHA's GROVE, FRYEBURG,
August7 Z.
The exercises Sunday morning were
opened with music by the Stow Band. The
singing was congregational, under the direc-
ton of r. w. Peach. Prayer was offered by
Rev. w. p Burnell of Plymouth, Mass.
Rev. /. NJ. Atwood, d. D., president of the
Canton On. " Theological School, read
the lesson of the morning Rev. Marion
Crosley of Portland then introduced Rev. F.
M. AIyord of Friendship, n Y, who spoke
as follows 1--WE read in the Scriptures of
the wrath, Indignation and anger of God.
How does this harmonic with his love and
mercy? AS today is fair and yesterday was
stormy so we have the shady and sunny
sides of Gods nature. He will not always
chide' He will not retain anger forever,
because of mercy. Religion is in perfect
harmony with nature aud our surroundings
Rev. l. M. Atwood then preached. He
said: "'There is no fear in love but perfect
love casteth out fear This not an axiom
but general truth. An ideal condition is
that in which one loves the truth; practi-
cally it is the same for man to hate the
devil, as to love. Human history sounds a
note of warning to those who come after.
Beware how you yield too much to the
clamor of the .populace. Beware how you
suppress GOd-planted instincts of the
human soul. Fear hath torment Say
what you will we would like to get rid of it.
| If we could get rid of fear we should not
want to go to heaven. You can Danish fear
| just in proportion that you can love. Some
| say you can only love lovely things; it is
possible to love any person that God has
| made it your duty to love-"
About $50 people came on the excursion
| here from Portland and were taken to the
| camp ground by the horse cars, but the most
| of the audience came by carriages from the
| surrounding towns. 1t has been remarka-
| bly, cool, clear day, the thermometer has not
| risen above 70o, and Mount Washington has
| been plainly visible. Dinner was served to
| about fifty at the Grove House at noon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened with
music by the band and singing by the con-
| gregation. Rev. f. M. Atwood offered
| prayer, being followed by Mr.. Peach, assist
| ed by quartette and chorus. DIR. Atwood
then said he had prepared to speak upon one
topic but suggestion had just been made
that caused him to change his subject. The
text was Cor, 60: Behold now is the ac-
cepted time, behold now is the day of saliva
ton" These words are generally under
| stood TO convey the QOctrln6 OF probation
| that through Adam the race fell making the
| business of religion necessarily restoration,
| that the sacrifice of Jesus was for restOra-
ton. There comes the Unversalist idea
| that the restoration will be as wide as the
| necessity for that sacrifice. Here follows
| the common doctrine of probation that the
| opportunity for salvation is limited to earth
| life. 1t is improbable that this passage an
| nounces such doctrine for it is more reasona-
| BILE that God desires the salvation of his fam
| lily. If this were the only opportunity
| for salvation more would embrace it,
| Some say what is the use of engaging in the
| work of salvation on this side the grave. We
| try to make men well who are sick in sin
| which is a terrible sickness-because well
| men are better and worth more than sick
| men. That is the gospel of missionary effort
| everywhere. have not taken contract to
| save the whole world or organization which
| | represent. All must lend a hand. The
Methodists are doing great deal. The
| that will stand is the truth as God gives it,
| Man has been so made that he cannot be
| happy till he faces toward God. There are a
| great many Universalists who are not doing
| all their religion teaches them-yOu are los
| ing great deal-you are acting very unrea-
| sonabIy We read every little while that
| somebody's uncle has died and left him
money in England. Suppose they are in NO
hurry to claim tit is safe in the bank OF
England. We would think they were
crazy. Money is good for what we ian do
| with it and we want it now. Now you Uni
versalists say your religion is better than
money, yet how do some of you actp You
| say it is safe, but you are not in hurry to
| get hold of it. The world will Judge you
| righteously by whatyou are. Well have not
one grain Of excuse for delaying to fill our